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    2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber Render – In 7 New Colours

    Royal Enfield has plans to launch multiple new motorcycles based on their 350cc platform – Bobber 350 is one of them2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber RenderRoyal Enfield already has a single-seater option on the Classic 350. You must be thinking that’s it, right? That’s the Classic 350 Bobber. No. As the name suggests, it is just a single-seater variant of the Classic 350. A bobber is not a cruiser motorcycle with the back seat removed. It is much more than that.Royal Enfield has plans to launch a proper bobber based on their new Classic 350. It is expected to arrive in the showroom sometime next year. Ahead of that, here is a render version of the same. Please note that this Classic 350 Bobber Render is a work of imagination and has not been commissioned or approved by Royal Enfield.Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber RenderThis reimagined Classic 350 Bobber is digitally created by our rendering artist Pratyush Rout. A lot of thought process goes into creating a bobber motorcycle. In the render, you can see that the wheelbase has been extended quite a bit more than the standard Classic 350.The ground clearance is lowered to give the rider that low-slung riding position. The handlebar is raised too. And then the leather-wrapped, coil spring suspended single-seat adorns the total look of the motorcycle.2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber RenderThe Vintage Red colour gives the motorcycle that mandatory old-world charm. How can we talk about a Royal Enfield motorcycle without mentioning its curvaceous body panels? It’s like peanut butter without peanuts. The sculpted metallic fuel tank in the render is a little different from the Classic 350 cruiser. This redesigned fuel tank gives the motorcycle that bobber feel.The render also gets bar-end rear view mirrors finished in black. The engine compartment gets a blacked-out finish to give a sporty appeal. The Classic 350 Bobber render also gets some side body panels. No more, no less. Just the right amount. The render also gets a chrome-finished exhaust tip to add to the panache of the Bobber motorcycle.Finishing off the old world charm are the round headlights and round tail lights with chrome surround, round indicators and round instrument cluster. 2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber also gets the tripper display to handle navigation and phone connectivity.2023 Royal Enfield Classic 350 Bobber RenderEngine and SpecsThe render also gets a telescopic front suspension like the Classic 350 cruiser. The rear twin shocks have been replaced with a center-mounted rear mono-shock unit. The Classic 350 Bobber render gets the same J-Series engine displacing 349 cc and developing 20.2 bhp of power @6100 RPM and 27 Nm of torque @4000 RPM.The Classic 350 cruiser motorcycle weighs 195 kg and the Bobber could weigh around the same. The cruiser motorcycle in production also gets spoked wheels at the front and back which our Bobber render also retains. The Bobber also carries over the front and rear disc brakes equipped with dual-channel ABS.[embedded content][embedded content]Bobber motorcycles usually come with smaller tyres both at the front and back and our render reflects the same. Considering the revisions and the changes to the motorcycle, it is very logical to assume that the Classic 350 Bobber render can be around Rs 30,000 dearer than the Classic 350. There are multiple reports about the possibility of a Classic 350 Bobber launch in 2023. If the Bobber motorcycle looks anything like our rendering artist imagined, we’re in for a treat. More

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    Bajaj Dominar 400 Vs New Honda CB300F Vs KTM Duke 250 – Specs, Prices

    Honda’s CB300F displaces around 7.52cc more than CB300R but makes 7.3 bhp and 1.9 Nm lessNew Honda CB300F vs RivalsWe saw the Honda CB300F launch in India after a long tease from the company building up incredible hype. Motorcycling enthusiasts were expecting it to be the Forza 350 maxi scooter. But what we got was the CB300F which is sold exclusively from Honda Big Wing premium dealerships across India.But looking at the product, it does come off as a little uninspiring. Okay, very uninspiring. It looks like a generic motorcycle from Honda with a gold USD fork at its front. Honda India has stuck to the “Just Fit Fun Gear” concept philosophy while designing CB300F. If you think that it didn’t make any sense, ask Honda because that’s exactly their official statement.Even the presenter once mentioned it as CB300R in confusion. That’s exactly the theme with this launch, confusion. Especially with the Rs. 2.26 lakh (ex-sh). Honda CB300F is dubbed as an “Advanced Street Fighter”. So, let’s see how advanced it is when compared to bikes with similar pricing.Honda CB300F Vs Bajaj Dominar 400Dominar 400 is around Rs. 4,000 cheaper than CB300F and offers incredible bang for your buck. Dominar 400 gets mostly everything that CB300F offers and packs a fire-breathing 373 cc engine from KTM 390. Similarities between CB300F and Dominar 400 include, LED lighting, slipper clutch, 6-speed gearbox, 4V head, Dual-channel ABS, USD front forks, digital instrument cluster, 110/70-17 tyre at front, and a fat 150/60-17 tyre at the rear.Bajaj Dominar 400 Vs New Honda CB300F Vs KTM Duke 250CB300F gets Bluetooth connectivity with smartphone integration via an app and also traction control dubbed as Honda Selectable Torque Control (HSTC). But Dominar strikes back with triple spark plugs, a wide range of touring-friendly accessories and a highly performant and high-speed touring-worthy engine.Speaking of its engine, Dominar 400 makes 39.42 bhp at 8,800 RPM and 35 Nm at 6,500 RPM. Which is 15.62 bhp and almost 10 Nm more than CB300F. But where CB300F strikes back is weight. At 153 kg, it is 40 kg lighter than the thicc boi Dominar 400’s 193 kg. But owing to its power-cruiser genre, the weight and its long wheelbase offer it stability.Honda CB300F Vs KTM 250 DukeWell, if you think Dominar 400 is not a fair comparison because of its heft, we have KTM’s 250 Duke which is just Rs. 4,000 more expensive than CB300F which is just 16 kg heavier. It gets a 248.8 cc engine that makes 29.6 bhp at 9,000 RPM and 24 Nm at 7,500 RPM. Just like Dominar 400, 250 Duke and CB300F have LED lighting, slipper clutch, 6-speed gearbox, 4V head, Dual-channel ABS, USD front forks, digital instrument cluster, 110/70-17 tyre at front, and a fat 150/60-17 tyre at the rear as common.Bluetooth connectivity and app integration and traction control are not offered on 250 Duke which CB300F gets. Looking at bikes in the same price segment, we also have a lot of classic bikes from Royal Enfield, Jawa and Yezdi offering scramblers and also ADVs. But as bland as it may look, Honda still has the weight advantage.The proof of the pudding is in the taste. So, Honda might surprise us on road while it slightly disappoints on paper. Honda may have created something unique as KTM’s already light 200 Duke is 6 kg heavier than CB300F. We can only say for sure after getting our hands on it, of course. More

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    New Bajaj CT 125X Arrives At Dealer Showroom – Launch Soon

    Bajaj’s X versions of its budget-friendly commuter CT range signifies ruggedness over normal modelsNew Bajaj CT 125XBajaj Auto is one of the largest two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturers in the world. It has a seriously impressive Pulsar series dubbed as “The Fastest Indian” which has worked wonders for the company in the street bikes segment. But in the commuter segment, it currently has CT and Platina series with 100cc and 110cc.While Bajaj is foraying into mid-size bikes with Triumph Motorcycles for 300-500cc, when it comes to 125cc budget commuter segment, Bajaj used to have Discover series with Harry Potter style adverts and also long gone XCD125. Discover series also had 150cc engines and heck, Discover 150F also had a bikini fairing. Those were wild times, huh? But now, Bajaj didn’t have any offerings in the budget 125cc commuter segment until now.New Bajaj CT125XRemember the CT110X that Bajaj launched in India? It had some elements to clearly distinguish itself from the regular CT110. It cost Rs. 7,000 over regular CT110 and had a weirdly charming aura about it. Bajaj had tried to create something unique that no one else offered in the country. That is a ruggedized version of a budget commuter.Now, Bajaj has used the same formula and offered a CT125X which has a 125cc engine instead of 110 cc engine on CT110X. For starters, it gets a really handsome headlight cowl which also houses the ‘V’ shaped LED DRL and a small visor that is a bit of a stretch on a budget commuter motorcycle. It doesn’t get connected features like Hero’s Glamour XTEC, though. Look at the walkaround video credited to AUTO TRAVEL TECH below.[embedded content][embedded content]The round headlight also gets a metal guard for the rugged appeal and its front telescopic suspension gets fork gaiters. X variants of the CT lineup like CT110X and CT125X also get a rubber tank pad for added grip too. At the back, they get a relatively large grab rail for the rear pillion and also doubles up as a relatively decent luggage rack.It gets halogen bulbs for headlight, taillight and turn indicators. Other notable features on Bajaj CT125X include blacked-out effect on the entire motorcycle excluding body panels, a ribbed-effect seat cover, twin shock absorbers at the rear, a luggage carrier above the exhaust to protect the goods from burning, rubber grips on the side crash guard and analog instrumentation.Specs & launchWe don’t know the exact engine specs as of yet. Because Bajaj doesn’t offer a 125cc commuter. CT125X is likely to get the same 125cc engines as Pulsar 125 and Pulsar NS125 with 11.6 bhp and 11 Nm. We say this, because Bajaj’s 125cc engine for budget commuters that did duties on Discover 125 also made 11 bhp and 11 Nm. It is also likely to get a 5-speed manual gearbox unlike CT110X which gets a 4-speed gearbox. CT110X’s engine is a 110cc unit making 8.5 bhp and 9.81 Nm.New Bajaj CT 125XEven with all the additions, at Rs. 66,000, CT110X still undercut Honda CD 110 Dream, TVS Radeon, TVS Star City Plus, Splendor Plus and the likes. CT125X is likely to be priced around Rs. 80,000. At this price, it locks horns with Honda Shine, Hero Super Splendor, Hero Glamour, and Honda SP 125. More

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    Top 20 Two Wheeler Exports May 2022 – Pulsar, Apache, Splendor, 650 Twins

    Two wheeler exports in May 2022 stood at 3,47,699 units with the Bajaj Boxer being the most exported modelModified RE 650 by Neev MotorcyclesTwo wheeler exports reported a YoY de-growth in May 2022. Sales stood at 3,47,699 units in the said month, down 2.41 percent when compared to 3,56,283 units sold in May 2021. This was an 8,584 unit volume de-growth.Leading the export list was Bajaj Boxer with 85,282 units shipped in May 2022, down 18.19 percent when compared to 1,04,240 units exported in May 2021. The Bajaj Boxer commanded a 24.53 percent share. Out of these total exports of the Boxer, it was the 110cc that commanding the most attention with 67,010 units shipped along with 14,720 units of Boxer 150cc and 3,552 units of Boxer 125cc.Two Wheeler Exports May 2022TVS Star City saw a 7.31 percent YoY growth in exports in May 2022 to 64,210 units, up from 62,870 units sold in May 2021. It currently commands an 18.48 percent share. Next in line was the Bajaj Pulsar with a 19.49 percent YoY de-growth to 24,303 units shipped in May 2022, down from 30,185 units shipped in May 2021. This was a 5,882 unit volume de-growth with the Pulsar commanding a 6.99 percent share.De-growth in exports was also seen in the case of the Apache to the extent of 43.05 percent. Sales which had been at 20,405 units in May 2021 dipped to 11,620 units in May 2022. Exports of the CZ (19,104 units), Discover (10,492 units) and FZ (9,042 units) improved by 22.97 percent, 0.58 percent and 65.18 percent respectively. Exports of the Honda Navi scooter increased 119.17 percent YoY to 7,741 units in May 2022 from 3,532 units sold in May 2021. The company exports the Navi to markets in Asia, Middle East and Latin America.Two Wheeler Exports May 2022Dio scooter also saw an increase in demand in global markets by 68.20 percent to 7,601 units in May 2022, up from 4,519 units shipped in May 2021. Honda has introduced the Dio Sports Limited Edition recently priced at Rs 68,317 for base Standard trim and at Rs. 73,317 for top-spec Deluxe variant (prices ex-showroom).The Raider entered this list at No. 10 with 7,542 units shipped in May 2022. Thereafter, exports of the Sport and Splendor dipped on a YoY basis by 4.94 percent and 2.95 percent respectively to 6,773 units and 6,648 units. Suzuki Gixxer exports increased 86.83 percent YoY to 6,584 units in May 2022 from 3,524 units shipped in May 2021. HF Deluxe ( 5,469 units), 650 Twin (5,178 units) and XBlade (4,288 units) each posted a YoY growth in exports while CB Shine exports increased 420.97 percent to 3,230 units in May 2022 from just 620 units shipped in May 2021.TVS Ntorq had 3,032 units shipped in May 2022 down 54.54 percent over 6,670 units shipped in May 2021 while exports of Burgman improved by 39.22 percent to 2,868 units in May 2022 from 2,060 units shipped in May 2021. YD125 (2,850 units), RE Classic 350 (2,779 units), Hunk (2,751 units) and Ray ZR (2,720 units) were also lower down on this list.NoTwo Wheeler ExportsMay-22May-21Growth % YoY1Boxer85,2821,04,240-18.192Star City64,21062,8702.133Pulsar24,30330,185-19.494CT19,10415,53622.975Apache11,62020,405-43.056Discover10,49210,4320.587FZ9,0425,47465.188Navi7,7413,532119.179Dio7,6014,51968.2010Raider7,5420–11Sport6,7737,278-6.9412Splendor6,6486,850-2.9513Gixxer 1556,5843,52486.8314HF Deluxe5,4695,1985.2115650 Twin5,1781,902172.2416X Blade4,2882,97044.3817CB Shine3,230620420.9718Ntorq3,0326,670-54.5419Platina3,0125,376-43.9720Burgman2,8682,06039.2221YD1252,8500–22Classic 3502,779564392.7323Hunk2,7513,900-29.4624RayZR2,7202,5098.4125Dream2,6441,000164.4026KTM 3902,3993,888-38.3027FZ252,370896164.5128Glamour2,2581,008124.0129Crux2,1665,946-63.5730Meteor 3502,1612,887-25.1531Xpulse 2002,1161,20975.0232Livo2,1001,20075.0033Dominar 4002,0841,9049.4534KTM 2001,9392,290-15.3335BMW 3101,8111,07568.4736SZ1,5441,10439.8637H’Ness CB3501,500372303.2338Dominar 2501,476613140.7839R151,378518166.0240KTM 1251,2841,978-35.0941Gixxer 2501,284552132.6142CB Unicorn 1601,200480150.0043CB Hornet 160R1,1321,164-2.7544Saluto85292826.0945KTM 2507661,134-32.4546Husqvarna 401608762-20.2147Aviator600840-28.5748Maestro544666-18.3249MT 1554040035.0050SXR 504960–51Victor480800-40.0052Passion450108316.6753Vespa 15038426942.7554Aprilia SR15033086283.7255Aprilia SR 12532992257.6156Avenger 220288450-36.0057Avenger 160192576-66.6758Vespa 125154313-50.8059Husqvarna 125126420-70.0060Hayate120480-75.0061Alpha112224-50.0062Aprilia SR160107139-23.0263Intruder9240130.0064Access6012400.0065RR 31060600.0066Husqvarna 25042211-80.0967Pleasure2192-98.9668Acheiver04,116-100.0069Grazia02,040-100.0070Himalayan01,430-100.0071SR 50 MT01,024-100.0072Activa0468-100.0073Classic 5000390-100.0074Radeon0360-100.0075Saluto RX0342-100.0076Wego0227-100.0077Husqvarna 2000217-100.0078CB Unicorn 1500200-100.0079Jupiter0121-100.0080Xtreme0120-100.0081Destni 1250116-100.0082Bullet 500048-100.00–Total3,47,6993,56,283-2.41Dream, KTM 390, Yamaha FZ25Dream exports improved by 164.40 percent to 2,644 units while that of KTM 390 dipped 38.30 percent to 2,399 units. Yamaha FZ exports also improved significantly by 164.51 percent to 2,370 units. There was also the Glamour (2,258 units), Crux (2,166 units), Meteor (2,161 units) and XPulse (2,116 units) on this list. There were others that posted YoY growth such as the Livo and Dominar 400 while KTM 200 sales dipped and BMW 310 saw a 68.47 percent YoY growth to 1,811 units.Export growth was also seen in the case of the SZ (1,544 units), Hness CB350 (1,500 units) and Dominar (1,476 units) while R15 shipments improved 166.02 percent to 1,378 units in May 2022. Models such as the Achiever, Grazia, Himalayan Classic 500 and Radeon along with the CB Unicorn 150 and Jupiter have been discontinued and hence saw 0 exports in May 2022. More

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    New Honda Electric Scooter Launch In 2023 – Futuristic Activa Confirmed

    Honda is currently the leader in ICE scooter segment with Activa smashing sales records like clockworkImage for illustration purpose.Honda electric scooters were thought to be a distant possibility as Honda had mentioned before. The Japanese company had even started development of flex-fuel technology for low-cost Indian commuter motorcycle segment. Right now, Honda is the undisputed leader in ICE scooters in India.We were all under the impression that Honda would probably step its foot into electric scooter segment in 2025 or later. But, this is a big but, Honda has now revealed that they have considered electric scooters and will launch their product in early 2023. This decision was revealed by Atsushi Ogata, MD, President and CEO, HMSI.This decision was made right after the company launched a street fighter CB300F which we were all hoping to be a Forza 350 maxi-scooter. So, there is finally something good that followed the CB300F launch, huh? This is big news and let’s break it down.Honda Electric ScooterBeing a mainstream manufacturer like TVS and Bajaj, we can expect Honda’s electric scooters to be safe and impervious to EV fire hazards that some EV startups are prone to. Honda has already initiated a new vertical named Honda Power Pack Energy India. Its task is to locally produce swappable batteries for two and three-wheeled EVs in India.New Honda Activa 7G TeasedHonda conducted a thorough pilot study in 2021 at Thane, Maharashtra. It clocked 2,00,000 km and 7,000 battery swaps in total. Honda has partnered up with HPCL and Bengaluru Metro to establish swapping stations, starting from Bengaluru. It was expected to start operating in May of 2022. That might be the reason for Honda Benly e electric scooter that we spotted in India.For development of its first electric scooter, HMSI is formulating a team of engineers from Honda Motorcycles, Japan. Ogata also said that HMSI had been in touch with Honda Japan for six months where they already have expertise in electric scooters. Ogata also mentioned that HMSI is creating a “futuristic Activa” hinting that Honda’s maiden EV in India might have the name Activa in it. This is different from Activa 7G which was teased recently.It makes sense too. As Activa is already the de facto choice in scooters. A maiden EV with this legend’s name might make it a de facto choice in electric scooters. Millions of Indians already associate themselves with Activa brand. Like Bolero Neo, because TUV300 name was the drag. Okay, Mahindra has a weird naming strategy by using letters and numbers instead of words.Honda Activa Electric – What To Expect?For starters, Honda’s first EV might adopt the swappable battery tech mentioned above. This basically means that a user is not owning the battery and just renting it. So, the initial high costs that are associated with EVs might be negated this way. Hence drawing more and more people towards EVs.Familiarity seems to be Honda’s priority and hence the hints of a “Futuristic Activa”. It is likely to get the Activa name. Honda will also make sure that it has decent performance and range needn’t be very high as the battery can be swapped to a fully charged one in a jiffy, hence reducing range anxiety and slow battery charging hassles. When launched, Activa electric will compete with TVS iQube, Ola S1 Pro, Ather 450X, Simple One and a lot more.According to industry experts, the Indian EV market is likely to expand at a CAGR of 77% by value sometime within 2017 and 2025. Honda may have bought the ticket late, but catching this EV train is paramount. Yamaha, you next?Source More

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    2023 Hero 300cc XPulse, XPulse T, Xtreme S – 3 New Motorcycles Spied

    With mid-size segment registering strong growth, Hero MotoCorp is getting ready to tap this space with two new 300cc bikes2023 Hero 300cc Motorcycles – XPulse 300, XPulse 300T and Xtreme 300SWhile it’s the country’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp has a fairly lopsided portfolio, maxing out at 200cc range. As consumer preferences are evolving, Hero will be looking to diversify its portfolio. It could start with mid-size segment that has been witnessing strong growth, with multiple new products launched in recent years.In the earlier set of spy shots, only two motorcycles of Hero were spied. As revealed in latest spy shots by Sarathi of KALKI, Hero MotoCorp is working on three new bikes, an ADV, an ADV tourer and a fully-faired sportsbike. These are likely to have a 300cc motor and could be named XPulse 300, XPulse 300T and Xtreme 300S. Launch is expected in 2023. While engine will be same, power and torque output may be adjusted for each of these 300cc bikes.The Three New Hero Motorcycles – Xtreme 300S, Xpulse 300T and Xpulse 300.Hero XPulse 300 and Xpulse 300 TXPulse 300 ADVs and its faired sibling will be using a trellis frame, which will be a first for Hero MotoCorp. Hero’s 450RR Dakar Rally motorcycle does have a trellis frame, but that bike is not commercially produced. XPulse 300 concept was showcased at Hero World 2020 event with a new motor and trellis frame. It is possible that launch of Hero 300cc bikes could have been delayed due to the pandemic.Some of the key features of Hero XPulse 300 include raised front fender, aggressive headlamp cowl with compact windscreen, trendy rear view mirrors, skeletal body and rugged engine bash plate. The bike is likely to get a full-digital instrument console with Bluetooth-based connectivity features. XPulse 300 has wire-spoke wheels with knobby tyres, which highlight its off-roading capabilities.New Hero XPulse 300T and Xpulse 300Wheel size could be similar to Himalayan that has 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel. Braking setup comprises disc brakes at both ends and dual-channel ABS could be offered as standard. The bike has USD front forks and monoshock suspension at rear.New Hero Xpulse 300 cc RangeXpulse 300T can be seen with a different styling, more suited for being an adnture tourer. Upon launch, XPulse 300 range will take on rivals such as Royal Enfield Himalayan, Yezdi Adventure, KTM 390 Adventure and BMW G310GS.Hero Xtreme 300SOverall silhouette of Xtreme 300S appears familiar to Xtreme 200S. Some key features include alloy wheels, aggressive front fascia, front cowl mounted rear view mirrors and prominent fairing.New Hero Xtreme 300S Fully FairedRiding stance is fairly committed with low-set handlebar and rear-set footpegs. Things like brakes and suspension will be the same as that of XPulse 300. However, suspension will be stiffer and with less travel on the faired bike.[embedded content][embedded content]Powering Hero’s 300cc bikes will be a new liquid cooled motor that should be capable of generating around 30 bhp of max power and 25 Nm of peak torque. It is likely to get a 6-speed gearbox. Hero Xtreme 300S will compete with rivals such as Apache RR310, KTM RC 390 and BMW G310RR. Hero is likely to offer its 300cc bikes at an affordable price point, making them accessible to a wider customer base. More

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    Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Side View Detailed – New Spy Shots

    Himalayan 450 will get a larger 450cc engine which will make more power and torque to compete with the 390 AdventureRoyal Enfield Himalayan 450 Side View. Image – Motorcycle NewsRoyal Enfield has been developing the Himalayan 450 for quite some time now. New motorcycle will stay true to the precedent set by its 411cc sibling. It will be marketed as an adventure tourer in India competing with BMW G310GS and KTM 390 Adventure. After the exhaust design was spied a few days back, new spy shots reveal side view.The updates expected on the Himalayan 450 will make it even more capable off-road and even more relaxed on-road. In latest spy shots from the UK by Motorcycle News, we can see that the new motorcycle gets significantly broader seats to accommodate riders of all frames and sizes.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 – New Spy ShotsIt is also expected to get comfier cushioning to give riders more support and comfort. This will also make sure that riders can ride farther on one stretch before needing to take a break further aiding Himalayan 450’s touring abilities.Rider’s triangle also seems to be better than Himalayan 411. This will aid the rider in daily commutes and as well as highway runs. Pillion seat looks like an upgrade too as it looks broader and better cushioned in comparison to Himalayan 411. The pillion will also appreciate the placement of the rear footpegs and big grab handle beneath them.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 Spied in the UKHimalayan will get a bigger 450cc single-cylinder petrol engine with an overhead camshaft. It will get oil cooling. It is expected to make more power and more torque than Himalayan 411. This will make it an even worthy opponent to the likes of KTM 390 Adventure and BMW G310GS. The engine might be coupled to a brand new 6-speed transmission instead of the 5-speed unit on Himalayan 411.The motorcycle will get spoked wheels at the front and rear. Wheels are expected to be 21” at front and 17” at the rear like Himalayan 411. Ground clearance on the newer model seems to be higher. This might be due to beefier forks with longer suspension travel. Final production version of Himalayan 450 will be slightly bigger than the outgoing Himalayan 411 and is also expected to weigh a little more due to the bigger engine.Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 FeaturesHimalayan 450 will get tubular frames at front and rear to hold luggage, panniers and jerry cans. It will also get a new vertically mounted instrument cluster which will easily fall in rider’s peripheral vision. Other expected features on the bigger Himalayan include, dual-channel switchable ABS, slip and assist clutch, some kind of riding modes with different throttle maps, GPS navigation on the instrumentation and maybe even ride-by-wire to make the throttle response better. In the video below, we can see the Himalayan 450 on test in India.[embedded content][embedded content]The Himalayan will come with off-road specific features too. Even though Royal Enfield hasn’t made it official, we can expect a robust suspension, capable engine, stiff chassis and durable components. Royal Enfield might even consider more off-road friendly components as an option at least as Hero does with its Xpulse 200 in the form of the Rally Kit. When launched, it will be a worthy competitor to the more road-biased KTM 390 Adventure, BMW G310GS and the upcoming Hero Xpulse 300. More

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    New Kawasaki Electric Motorcycle Based On Z250 – Hybrid Z650 Spotted

    By 2035, Kawasaki plans to have a fully electrified portfolio that will include pure EV and hybrid electric vehiclesNew Kawasaki Electric Motorcycle Based On Z250Providing a glimpse of what the future would look like at Kawasaki, two new bikes, one electric (EV) and one hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) recently raced the tracks at Suzuka Circuit. Widely popular Suzuka 8 Hours endurance racing event was purposefully chosen to ensure maximum reach for Kawasaki’s all-new electrified bikes.In addition to the visual treat, enthusiasts also got to listen to the aural notes of these bikes. EV bike had the typical hum of an electric motor whereas the HEV sounded more like a conventional ICE-based bike.As Kawasaki’s electrification plans have been delayed due to the pandemic, it is likely that things are being expedited in a proactive manner. While official timelines have not been announced, launch in markets like America can happen by the end of this year.Kawasaki electric bike featuresKawasaki’s pure-EV bike appears to borrow styling bits from Z range motorcycles. Some key features include an aggressive front fascia, sinewy fuel tank design, step-up split seats, prominent tail section, standard telescopic front forks and rear swingarm. The bike has a fairly committed riding stance with low-set handlebar and slightly rear-set footpegs.New Kawasaki Electric Motorcycle Based On Z250With close to zero body panelling, Kawasaki’s new all-electric bike should be able to extract more miles from the battery. It is not clear at this point of time if the battery is a fixed or removable unit. It looks completely packed from the sides, although there could be an opening in the fuel tank casing to reach the battery from top. VIN information shows that Kawasaki’s all-electric bike generates 15 PS of max power. It is likely to be slotted between Z125 and Z250.Kawasaki HEV bike featuresIn comparison to the naked EV, Kawasaki HEV bike is a fully-faired model. It appears to have design bits similar to that of the Kawasaki Ninja range. Some key features include sharp dual headlamps, compact windscreen, sharp panels, step-up seat and upswept exhaust. It is evident that the bike has a twin-cylinder motor and exhaust is quite similar to that of Ninja 250. Multiple air intakes can be seen, which will work to cool the motor and battery system.Other key equipment in use are conventional telescopic forks at front and monoshock rear suspension. Braking setup has dual discs at front, which looks impressive and should help manage the additional bulk of the hybrid system.Kawasaki Hybrid Motorcycle Based On Z650Considering India’s growing appetite for electric two-wheelers, Kawasaki should not take too long to launch its electric range here. Sooner the better, as rivals like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and KTM are planning their respective electric two-wheelers for India. Kawasaki will also have to work on pricing to be able to play the volume game. More